Can tester



Nov. 5, 1935.r M. E. wlDELLl 2,019,517

clm TESTER Filed April 26.4 1928 l2 Sheets-Sheet l A' l. j .irl-@QZ A' ..77'-z: i w

ATTORNEY M. E. WIDELL Nov. 5, 1935.

CAN TESTER 27 INVEggS PSY/@4MM ATTORNEY Nom-1935. A M, E wmELL 2,019,517

CAN TESTER Filed Apri; 26. 192s 12 sheets-sheet 3 ATTORNEY Nov. 5,I 1935. M. EfwlDELL 2,019,517

, cm Tns'rn Filed April 2s, 1928 12 shets-shet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1935.

M. E. wlDELL v2,019,517

CAN TESTER 'I Filed April 2s,y 192s L12 sheets-sheet 5 INVENToR A ATTORNEY NOV. 5, 1935. M E wlDELL 2,019,517

vGAN TESTER Filed April 26. 192s 12 sheets-sheet e l 'Ilfllll `Y I INVENTOR,

ATTORNEY M. E. WIDELL CAN TESTER Nov. 5, 1935.

Filed April 26, 1928 l2 Shes-ts-Sheet 'T INVENTOR' ATTORNEY CAN TESTER Filed April 26. 1928 12 sheets-sheetl QQQQ@ @Q e CAN TESTER Filed April 2 6, 1928 l2 Sheets-Sheet 9.

INVENTOR l ATTORNEY M. E. WIDELL Nov. 5, 1935.

CAN TESTER Filed April 26, 1928 1,2 sheets-sheet 1o :wim um Mmm" ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1935.

Filed April '26. 1928 ....Illllllllllll lD s MMM Y. M. E. wlDELL CAN TESTER mu nj-llll 12 Sheets-Sheet# 1l INVENTOR ATTORNEY Nv.5,1935. M EwmELL l 2,019,517'

CAN Tasman FiledlApril 2e, 1928 12 sheets-sheet 12 V 'lllllllllllllllllllll/ 4.4] y I A mvENToR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 1935 Y CAN 'msm Magnus E. widen. cincinnati. om, uuml- 'to corporation of New American Can Company,

New York, N. Y., a

Application April 28, 1928, Serial N0. 272,889

9 Claims. (Cl. 'I3-51) This invention relates to can testers of the 'wheel type and has for its objects generally stated improvement in the construction and operation and the provision in such an apparatus of various cooperating renements incorporated to insure accuracy, increased capacity and easier control by the operator. The invention includes also numerous new devices. u

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a tester of this type having increased capacity. In accomplishing this `two large testing wheels are provided and these are driven from a single source of power, their action being independent and subject to control from either side of the organized apparatus.

Another important object of the invention is the provision oimeans for insuring that the pressure of the air supplied to the can for testing shall be maintained to the desired degree, Q together with means for insuring against operation of the tester in sorting perfect from imperfect cans when the pressure of the air fails or drops below the predetermined desired amount.

Another important object of the invention is the provision for preventing air under pressure being delivered to a can pocket if no can has been received in the pocket before it has arrived at the air receiving station.

Another important object of the invention is the improvement of the entire air system to insure accurate and certain delivery of air to the cans and accurate and certain control of the sorting devices in accordance with the perfection and imperfection of the can seams.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of an improved control for the separating devices sorting the good from ythe bad cans, both in construction and operation of the parts, andy also by the elimination of unnecessary mechanical movement thereof.

Numerous other'objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from thefollowing description, which, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a partial side elevation of an apparatus embodying the present invention, parts being broken away to disclose certain internal features of construction;

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional view 'of a part of the gate control;

Fig. 3 is an end view, parts being broken away and shown in section at one side of the apparatus,

the sectional portion being taken vertically through the axis of one of the can testing wheels;

Fig. 4 is a partial side elevation of the apparatus embodying the present invention. which taken in conjunction with Fig. 1 discloses sub- 5 stantially an elevation of the entire apparatus; n Fig. 5 is a partial end view looking from the right in Fig. 1 of the control mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the gate control cam and cam lever;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevation of the same; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the power transmission for imparting rotation to the can carrying wheel;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the clutch 1s operating mechanism; y

Fig. 10 is a detail elevation of the same;

Fig. 11 is an elevation partly in section of the no-air-no-current switch;

Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram of the electrical 20 circuits, included in the apparatus;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view, parts being .broken away. kof the detector valve;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged section taken substan- 26 tially on the line I B-IB of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, of the air valve box and the no-can-no-air mechanism;

Fig. 17 is a section taken substantially on the. line I1-I1 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the valve box;

Fig. 19 is an end elevation of the no-can-no-air control shown in Fig. 16;

Fig.- 20 is an enlarged detail of the air dis- 86 tributonparts being broken away and shown in section to disclose the air ports and passages; I

Fig. 21 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 20, partly broken away;

Figs. 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 aredetail sections 40 of the distributor showing/the arrangement of the ports and passages at various stages in the cycle of the can testing operation. These sections are taken respectively on the lines indicated by reference characters 22, 23, 2l, 25 45 and 26;

Fig'. 27 is an end elevation of one of the can testing pockets and associated mechanism;

Fig. 28 is a section taken substantially on the line 284-28 of Fig. 27;

' Fig. 29 is a side elevation of the same, parts being shown in section; t

Fig. 30 is an end elevation of a can separator gate control;

Fig. 31 is a side elevation of the mechanism l5 and line 38-f38 oi' Fig. 35. l

' General operation Before entering upon a detailed description of the parts or the apparatus on the drawings and their arrangements, a brief description of the operation and functionoi the yapparatus will be set forth: f

Fig. 38 is a section taken substantiallyon the Two tester wheels are mounted side by side'` and are driven from a common source oi power. Can delivery and receiving mechanisms are associated withA each wheel. From several viewpoints each wheel and `these mechanisms vmay be considered a single organization duplicated to provide the two, andfrom other viewpoints, for example, power delivery and lcontrol of operation. the wholestructure constitutes a single unit. Solar as possible (for the sake of brevity) only one wheel and the devices individualized to it will be described in detail, it being understood that two such organizations are provided and that the description, both of mechanism` and operation,applies to each.

Referring iirst toFigure 1, the cans are delivered from the can making machine down a chute 5|. These cans indicated by reference 58 are open at one end. Can pockets generally indicated by reference character 52 are mounted upon the periphery ot large continuously rotating tester wheels. The can pockets clamp the cans as indicated in Figure 28, the open endbeing pressed against an air-confining cushion 58.V As the wheel rotates the cans are carried in the pockets around their circular path of travel to beneath the chute 5|, where they are automatically delivered to two receiving chutes indicated in Fig. 1 by reference characters 54 and 58. The cans are sorted to separate the cans that leak from those that have perfect seams by a gate 58, which is moved in accordance with the condition oi' the can as determined by the ,tester to discharge the can into its proper receiving chute.

Air under pressure is supplied to the apparatus for testing the cans through a filter box 51 (Fig. 1) and from there to a valve box 58 controlled in accordance with the presence or the absence of cans in the pocket. The air passes from the'valve box 58 to an air distributor 59 from whence it is supplied to each clamped can f as it arrives at the air receiving station.

Communication between the interior of the can and the source cf air under pressure is merely momentary and the can after leaving the air receiving station is sealed except against leakage through same. In this condition it passes about the path of travel until it arrives at or near to the delivery chutes 54 and 55. Here its air condition is determined by a detector valve 8| containing a diaphragm which moves upon disturbance from a predetermined balanced condition by reason of leakage earlier occurring in the can. Movement of this diaphragm through devices to be later described actuates the control forthegateii. Y y 'v f W Construction and mounting of the can tester wheel `and 13. 'I'he two tester wheels are mounted upon ythis shaft for independent rotation. these wheels comprises a `hub 15 from which Each of spokes 18 extend out toa rim 11. 'I'his rim is provided `with"arms 18 (Figs. 28 and 29) which extend outwardly and support and carry the can testing pockets.v 2

Each pocket comprises a fixed clamping member or disk 19 and a movable clamping member The xed clamping member 19 carries a gasket forming the seat 58 for the open end of the can. It is mounted in the arm 18 2 upon hollow center stud 82 which extends through the arm 18 and through the clamping member 19, the parts being locked together by threaded collars. or glands 83 and 84. The air is admitted to the can after clamping through a 3 pipe 85 communicating with the bore 88 through the stud. The clamping member 8| is mounted to reciprocate toward the clamping member 19 to clamp and release the can as an incident to` each testing operation.

A stub shaft 81 is secured in the arm 18 and is provided with a series of keys 88 extending out from its periphery. This stub shaft 81 is embraced by a sleeve 89 having keyways mating with the'keys-88. A bracket 9| is adjustably 4 secured upon the sleeve 89 to extend up from it and this bracket carries the movable clamping head 8|. 'I'he bracket 9| is mounted upon thersleeve 89 and in a collar 92 formed integral with the bracket. 'I'he sleeve 89 is provided with 4:I a keyway 93, in which a wedge member 94 is arranged to extend up into the bracket. The wedge member 94 is adapted to be tightened and loosened in position by a bolt 95 extending through wedge rings 96 arranged on the oppo- 5' site side of the bracket.

vAdjustment of the can pocket to accommodate cans of different heights or lengths is effected by the movement of the bracket 9| towards and Irom the clamping member 19, the wedge con- 5" nection between the vbracket and the sleeve 89 locking the parts in adjusted position.

Two pairs of can receiving and centering arms, indicated respectively atf91 and 98 (Fig. 29), are provided for each can pocket. are curved to the shape of the can body, and the cans fall upon them prior to the clamping action. 'I'he arms L.81 are carried in side lugs 99 extending out from the sleeve 92, and the arms 98 are arranged through side lugs IUI extend- 65 ing out from the sleeve 89. It will be noted that movement of the clamping member 8| to bring the can in clamped relation is accompanied by movement of the arms 91 and 98, this organization moving as a unit to carry the open en'd 7U testing by mechanism to be now described. '75

These arms 5( Referring to Fig. l. reference character IH indicates a cam member carriedinazcross .frame` part ||2, this cam member having avcam groovey ||3 extending generally arcuatelyy about the cen. ter of movement of the can testerswheel- This cam groove is engaged by a roller ||4, mounted upon a slide ||5 associated withzeachcanpoeket.-

Referring again to Pigs. 27' andl 29 itzwill be:

noted that the slide ||5 is mounted ina bearing housing ||5 to reciprocate radiallyV of the wheel, this housing being secured'.z across the.l rim. 11. of the wheel. The slide 5-is pivotally.r1 connected to a link ||1, in turn pivotally connected in..

downwardly extending lugs ||3 on sleeve 33;.

The rotation of the tester wheel is' in. the

counter clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. The parts ofthe cam.l more remote from the center of the testerl wheelr arey `the parts holding the clampingA members in clamped position, and the portion of the. cam nearer the center of the wheel is the portion of the travel throughout which the; clamping members are separated. In this part of the travel a can is re1ea:ed and discharged and a fresh one received from the chute 5|.

Delivery of air to the clamped cans Air under pressure is delivered to the filter box 51 (Fig. 1) from a delivery pipe |3|. From here vand after being filtered through screens (not shown), it is delivered through a conduit |32 to valve box 53 mounted in the frame member ||2. From this valve box two pipes |33 and |34 lead to the distributor 53. 'I'he function of the valve box and its attendant mechanism is to insurel against delivery of air to a can pocket in the absence of a can, and the mechanism for accom-` plishing this will be presently described.

The air after being received in the distributor ls delivered to the interior oi each can as it passes the air receiving station through the pipes 35 which establish communication between the pocket and the distributor itself. 'I'he distributor comprises a fixed air receiving member |35 to which the pipes |33 and |34 communicate and a rotating member |38 carried upon the hub of the tester wheel (Figs. 3 and 21). 'I'he pipes 35 communicate with internal bores and ports in the rotary distributor member or disk |35 and` these bores periodically register with bores in the fixed distributor member or disk |35, with which pipes |33 and |34 communicate.

Referring now to the various gures on the sheet of drawing containing Fig. 20, it will be noted that the pipes |33 and |34, which lead from the valve box 53 to a distributor, are connected in communication with two bores |31 and air to successive cans,.t hus permitting a greater number of can pockets to be arrangedl around the-periphery of ther tester wheel. The pipes 35 communicate with radial boresr |42 extending into thev rotary member- |35. 'I'he bores |42 have 5 outlets |43 arranged' to register with the outlets |4| of, the pipes |33 and |34, alternate bores |42 registeringwith outletsf|4| of bore |31, and alternate hores: |42 having outlets |43 registering with` bore, |33. The; elongated outlets |4| extend the overlapping: relation shown in dotted lines so that at timesv two connections are receiving air simultaneously. The arrangement of these bores is perhapsr best shown in section in Fig. 22: The air under pressure is admitted to the cansthroughout the arc of their travel represented by the elongation of the outlets |4| and immediately outlet |4| passes out of registration with its. companion outlet |43 the can is sealed againstv escape of air or diminution of pressure except by leakage until the test is complete, this sealing:` occurring throughout the ygreater part of the travel of the vtester wheel. The sealing of the cans isillustrated in Fig. 23, which is a section taken on the line 23 vof Fig. 20.

The rotation of the tester Wheel carries the can in this sealed condition from the station located. generally at section` line 22 around to ther section line 24, at which station vthe air in ef'can is placed in communication with a detector. mechanism to be presently described, which measures the pressure in the can and governs the sorting mechanism.

The gauge pressure within each can is preferably taken at a point in its testing travel and this is accomplished by a gauge |44 communieating with a bore |45 in the member |35, thisl bore |45 having an outlet adapted to register with a delivery outlet |46 communicating with each ci the bores |42, this gauge serving to indicate to the operator that air under proper pressure has been delivered to the cans in the pockets, and thus providing a check upon the entire delivery system.

At the station indicated by section line 24, the testing of the can is complete and the outlet of its pocket |46 comes into communication with a bore |41 communicating with an outlet pipe |43 leading to the detector.

'The mechanical construction and mounting of 50 the parts oi the distributor will now be described, reference being had to Fig. 3. The movable member |35 is of disk or annular form, being perforated at its center to fit over and embrace the hub |4lfof the tester wheel, and it is secured to hub iiange |5| by stud bolts |52 for continuous rotation with the tester wheel. The stationary member |35 ismounted for a slight rubbing movement against the ported face oi the rotating member and is carried upon aso iiange |53 of a sleeve |54 extending through the bearing at the top of the right-hand support 12, whichsleeve extends about the shaft 14. At one point the sleeve is provided with a slot |55 in which is mounted the head |55 of a pin |51 taking into a recess in member |35. 'I'he end oi'- the shaft 14 is reducedvat |58 and is embraced by a sleeve |59 secured to the end of the hub oi' the tester wheel. This sleeve |59 is provided with a pinion or gear |3| near its outer end, which gear 70 pinion meshes with a companion gear or pinion |G2upon a shaft |63 arranged in a bearing |50 in the saidsupport 12 and having an eccentric pin |54 also taking into a recess in the member |35. 'I'he sleeve |53 rotates with the tester'wheel and 75 provides a slight circular movement to the pin |64, which minutely moves the member to cause the contacting faces of the members |35 and |36 to rub upon each other, polishing the same and preventing localized wearing.

Springs |65 are interposed between the flange |53 and the member |35 yto hold the members |35 and |36 in pressure contact.- Two screws |65' (Figs. l and `21) are extended from the support 12 and are adjustable to force against the iiange |53 in order to lvary the tension on springs |65 and properly position the member |35 relative to member |36.

Detector mechanism Ashasalready been stated, the result ofthe testing of each individual can is determined by a' detector mechanism, which as aresult of such test governs the sorting of the perfect from the irnperfect cans. 'Ihis detector mechanism is shown in detail in Figs. 13 to 15. It comprises, generally speaking, a mined pressure upon one side and functioning by variation in the pressure on the other, this last mentioned pressure being that communicated to it from each can at the end of the testing movement. The detector functions to complete a controlling electric circuit upon failure of the pressure, which causes the subject can to be directed from the normal can delivery. The detector comprises a casing or housing formed of a base member |1|, a body or central member |12, and a cover ortop member |13. Supporting feet |14 extend down from the bottom member and are secured upon the frame cross-member ||2 already mentioned. The detector diaphragm, indicated by reference character |15, is mounted between the top member |13 and central member |12, being clamped at its edges between these parts. The diaphragm in the present instance is of flexible sheet metal corrugated intermediate its conne'd edge |16 to increase its ilexibility and insure its permanent accurate operation.

'I'he chamber forming faces of the center and top members of the detector housing are preferably corrugated substantially in accordance with the corrugations on the diaphragm and dimensioned to provide spaces above and below the diaphragm of relatively small capacity so as not to use much air in a test or decrease the pressure of air within a can otherwise than by leakage. Air under predetermined pressure is admitted to a relatively large chamber 11 beneath a cross partition |18 forming the lower wall of the space beneath the diaphragm through a delivery pipe |18, which pressure, as will be Apresently explained, is different from but predetermined in respect `to the pressure employed for the air in testing the cans. The chamber |11 communicates with the diaphragm chamber through ports 8| and these ports preferably lead into one or more radial channels |82 in the upper face of partition |18. The space above the diaphragm is in communication with pipe |48 leading from port |41, (Fig. 24) which is placed in communication with the interior of the can at the end of the testing period, as has a1- ready beenY described. A port. |83 in the top member |13 of the detector housing communi# cates with a channel |84 similar to the channel |82 already described. Y Two electric terminals,l indicated respectively at |85 and |86 (Fig. 15) are adapted to be brought in contact when the pressure in a particular can has dropped in the testing, these terminals completing an electric circuit accomplish-y diaphragm having a predetering the sorting. v Terminal |85 is fixed and terminal |88 moves with the diaphragm as the pressure'ivaries. Terminal |85 ismounted upon the end of an adjustable rod |81 carried'in asleeve |88 in turn threaded within a supporting bushing |887. The terminal, sleeve and bushing are in registration with an opening |88 through the top member |13 of the detector housing. and the bushing |88 rests upon a lglass sight collar |8| in turn mounted upon and surroundingv the open` 2 lng |88. Bolts |82 hold these parts in rigid assembled relation andtheir contacting surfaces or edges yare sealed with suitable packing. The terminal |85 is mounted in a plug |83 behind which is mounted a spring* |94, enabling yielding of the xed terminal upon contact with the \movable one. q

'I'he movable terminal is carried by the diaphragm, `being mounted in the end vof a post |85 extending through the diaphragm and held 2 in upright position thereon by the clamping of thediaphragm between shoulder |86 on the post and a nut |81 therebeneath'. A spring20| is arranged between the lower end of sleeve |88 and a shouldered collar 282 embracing the post |85 2. and bearing against the shoulder |86 above the diaphragm. 'I'his spring cooperates with the pressure above the diaphragm to hold the terminals apart. 'Ihe sleeve |88 may be raised or lowered to adjust the tension of the spring and 3( producethe desired balance against the pressure provided in the chamber |11 already described, and the rod |81 may be adjusted in vertical position and clamped to provide the desired space between the terminals when in nor-'35 mal position. The lterminals |85 and |86 form a part of an electrical control circuit which will 'be later described as a unit.

When a non-leaky can is being tested the air pressure will be substantially the same on both sides of the diaphragm. The spring 20| increases a little the pressure on the top of the diaphragm, and under these three pressures the diaphragm will assume a certain position, and the sleeve vwill be adjusted so that under these conditions there will be a circuit-interrupting space between the terminals |85, |88.

Restoration of detector to normal position after each can test Means are preferably provided for supplying air under pressure above the diaphragm after each can is tested, this being to insure the mairitenanceof a normal condition in the detector at the time the pressure influence of each can is received. This means will now be described, reference being had particularly to Figs. 3, 20, 25 and 26.

A channel 2|| is provided in the face of the rotatable member |36 and into this a ring 2|2 is 60 inserted, which ring bears against hub flange |5| of the tester wheel. An annular channel 2| 3 is arranged back of the ring 2|2 to extend uninterruptedly around the face of the member |36. The ports 2|4 extend through the member |36 between the bores |42 and normally are closed by engagement with the presented face of the stationary member 35. A pipe 2|5 leads from the valve box 58 to a bore 2|6 in the member |35 and communicates with an arcuately elongated outlet 2|1 in the member 35 radially arranged for communication with the ports 2|4 as in the course of their rotation they arrive opposite the bore 2|6. The construction oi this is shown at the station indicated by section line 26 in Fig. 20 75 2,019,511 and an example of the communication there established lis disclosed in Fig. 26.

The pipe 215 is in constant communication withthesourceof airpressureforthecantesting and successive presentation of the ports 2|4 maintains such pressure in the annular channel or chamber 2I3. Viewing Fig. 20, it will be noted that a pipe 2li at the station. indicated by section line 25, communicates with a bore 2|8 also adapted toI register with the ports 2i4 for the annular pressure vchamber 2|3. The pipe 213 communicates directly with the space above the diaphragm and the bore 2i! is so located that almost immediately after the diaphragm has been affected by communication between the interior of the can and the detector at the station of section line 24 air under full pressure is supplied to the detector to restore conditions prior to the detection of the pressure in the next succeeding can.

The action upon the detector then when a leaky can is' presented at Vthe station 24 is as follows: Such a can being presented at the station of section line 24, communication is established (Ii'ig.A` 24) through pipe 85, bore |42, bore |46, bore'l41, pipe |48 to the upper side of diaphragm. The pressure in chamber |11 lifts the diaphragm to bring electric terminals and |36 into contact, and mechanism is set to discharge the leaky can from the normal can run. Immediately thereafter the detector is rearranged to disconnect the terminals |85 and |86 and bring the parts lto the arrangement shown in Fig. 15. This is accomplished through an air line from annular chamber 2i3 as follows: Port 2|4, Jport 213. pipe 21| to above the diaphragm |15.

No-can-no-mir-feature As has already been stated, means are provided for preventing delivery of air under pressure and the venting o1' the system 'should a pocket be presented without containing a can for testing. Viewing Fig. 1, it will be noted that when the cans are received Afrom the chute 5| they are held in the pockets by a shoe 22| pivoted at 222 above the end of the chute and pressed by a spring 223 against the can seat arms of the pocket. Immediately above this and Just before the can reaches the can testing station, the arm 224 is arranged to extend across the path of travel of the can itself and to be pressed in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 1, by the can in the pocket.

When the arm 224 is thus pressed upwardly. valves in the valve box 58 permit delivery of air to the pipes |33 and |34 and the absence of a can cperates to close these valves so that air is not delivered to the appropriate pipes. The construction and operation of the parts accomplishing this is shown in-Figs. 16 to 19. Air under the desired pressure is freely admitted into valve box 58 and from it is freely delivered to thepipe 2 I 5 and by this pipe to the annular pressure chamber 2|3. Air for the pipes |33 and |34 however, which it will be remembered supply the pressure within the cans themselves, is delivered through an oscillatory valve 225 mounted upon a rock shaft 226 in a valve housing 221 arranged over a port 228 in the side of the valve box.

The oscillatory valve 225 is provided with two ports 228 which are adapted to be brought into and out of registration with ducts 23| communicating with the pipes |33 and |34 respectively. The valve 225 is operated from and in conjunction with the movement of the arm 224. which has been described as extending across the path of the travel of the cans in the pockets. 'I'he arm 224 is secured to a collar 232 fast upon a rock shaft 233 carried in the top of a bracket 234 which extends up alongside the `delivery chute and '5 which also supports the shoe 22 A second arm 235 on rock shaft 233 extends downwardly and carries a perforated block 236 at its lower end. A rod 231 extends through the block 236 and is connected at 238' to an arm 238 on rock shaft 10 226. The end of the rod 231, which extends through and beyond the block 236, is provided with a stop 24| and a collar 243 is secured upon the rod 231 to confine a spring 242 embracing the rod 231 between itselfy and 4the arm 235, this spring tending to press the rod to the left (viewing Fig. 16), and hold the arm 235 in engagement with the stop 24|. A spring 244 ls secured to the stop 243 and to a lug 245 extending up in continuation of the arm 235 beyond shaft 233. 20 This last mentioned spring 244 tends to press the can engaging arm 224 across the path of travel of the cans, moving the organization of valve controlling parts to closed position when no can is presented to restrain the movement. 25 Closing of the valve'precludes delivery of air under pressure to the empty can pocket, and inv restraining such delivery prevents venting of the syst-ern, as will be readily appreciated.

, The closing of the valve at the valve box 58 cuts s0 oif the supply of air under pressure simultaneously to the pipes |33 and |34 and these pipes rare sealed `while the can pocket is passing throughout the arc represented by an elongated port |4i, already mentioned. This, however, $5 does not interrupt supply of air to the can pocket immediately in advance or immediately behind the one producing the interruption of the delivery, since the pipe 35 of the one ahead or the one behind is in communication with the como panion port |4| either before or after rsuch interruption of air supply. See in this connection Fig. 20.

Can delivery mechanism As has already been stated, the cans after being 45 tested are delivered into one or the other of `two chutes 54 and 55, the chute 54 receiving the perfect cans and the chute 55 the leaky ones. The clamps release the cans when the pockets arrive opposite a guide plate 25| pivoted at 252 (Fig. 1) 5 on a bracket 253 carried by the frame of the tester and arranged beneath and adjacent the chutes 54 and 55.

An arm 254 is mounted rigid with the plate 25| and is connected to a spring 255 which tends 55 to pull the plate into can engaging position, cooperating stops 256 being provided on the arm 254 and bracket 253 to limit the movement of the .plate into the can pocket. l

The gate 55 is secured upon and to a cross- 00 shaft 251 and when in theposition shown in Fig. 1 forms a continuation of plate 258, forming the bottom of the upper chute 54. The gate 55 is adapted to be raised when a leaky can is detected to deliver it into the lower chute 55 65 for separate disposal. Mechanism is provided for automatically shifting this gate from the one position to the other and to maintain it in its shifted position until the condition of the cans delivered require its movement; that is to 70 say, a succession of leaky cans or a succession of perfect cans, is delivered without the movement of the gate 56.

The gate 56 is normally moved toward the position shown in Fig. 1 from that shown in Fig. u

2 by a spring 26| to the frame at 262 and to an arm 263 nxedonshai't 251. This sp v lholds the gate in position to-deliver cans to chute 54 unless the gate is positively moved to and held in position to deliverl cans to chute 66. Referring now more particularly lto Figs. 30

` to',34, it will be noted that an arm-264 is mounted upon shaft 251. 'Ihis arm is loose upon this shaftand is rocked or oscillated by a link 265 in timed relation to. the movement of the tester wheel.l a complete back and forth oscillation occurring as an incident to the arrival of each` electromagnet 265' which is normally energized by an electric circuit in turn controlled by the detector 6 I, as will be presently'described in connection with the electricwiring of the apparatus.

It perhaps should be stated `at this point in the description of the apparatus shown on' the drawings that thevarious controls maintain this mag-l net in energized condition except when leaky cans are presented, the air supply fails or some unintended interruption ofthe electric current happens.

A yoke 266 is fixed upon the shaft 251 and straddles arm 264. A short, shaft 261 is arranged through bearings in this yoke and a pawl 266 is fixed to this short shaft between the arms of the yoke and depends down into position to be engaged with a tooth 266 at the top of the arm 264. The pawl is urged toward tooth engaging position by spring 21| connected respectively to the` pawl and to the yoke. While the cans delivered are perfect, the pawl is maintained out of tooth engaging position by the magnet. An arm 212 Vis loosely mounted on shaft 261 and is connected aty its lower end, as will be presently described, to a magnet link 213- in turn connected to the armature 214 of the magnet. fixed upon shaft 261 andV is provided with a lug 216 arrangedto extend over in front of va lug 211,y forming a continuation of arm 212. A set screw l 216' being provided to adjustably arrange the relationship 'between lugs 216 and 211.

The arm 212 extends down to arrange yits end at or substantially at the center of the shaft 261.

so that this end of the arm' is without any considerable movement when the yokev 266 is oscilv lated with the arm 264. 'I'he connection between thearm 212 and the magnet link'2 13 comprises a pin 216 arranged through a s1ot216 in the end of the magnet link. A pressure slide 26| is mountv ed within an internal bore 262 in the magnet link. being pressed against the pin 216 by a spring 263 in this`bore and confined by a plug 264 closing -the end `of the bore adjacent the magnet. The magnet link is connected to the armature 2650i the magnet by a pivot pin 266. 'Ihe parts arev shown in Fig. 31 in the arrangement they assume when the magnet is deenergized, lts armature being moved toward the right bya spring 261 in the usual manner.

With the parts in :the position just described, oscillation of the arm 264 towardV the left, viewing this figure, will cause engagement 'oi'y the pawl 266 with the tooth 266 and cause it vto be moved with a resulting shifting of the gate into the position shown in Fig. 33. The pin andslot A' eener, m is engagement between' the ann 212 and magnet link permit free movement koi' the parts notwithstanding thechange of relationship.

A latch 26| is pivoted at 262 `on a bracket member 263 supported on the frame of the apparatus and is adapted to engage over the yoke 261 as the arm 264 moves to the. right (viewing the gure), should the next succeeding can also leak. l'I'he condition of the can is determined while the arm 264 is moving toward the left 10 (viewing the figure. A head on the magnet link 213 provides a shoulder 264 upon which restsnormally a` lug 265'ilxed upon a vertical link 266 pivoted at its upper end at 261 to the latch. and

at its lower end at 266 to a short lever 266 in turn pivoted at 3|I| in bracket 263. `When the magnet is deenergized andthe armature moved to the position shown in Fig.31, the latch and connected parts move down'into yoke engaging position, the lug' 265arranging itself in position to 20 engage `they shoulder 264 to prevent movement of the armature asan incident to the reestablishment of the pressure abovethe diaphragm of the detector and between presentation of successive cans. 25

lLever 266 is provided with a toothed end 362 adapted for engagement with a shoulder 303 upon arm 264. 'I'hese parts are so arranged that when the arm 264 reaches the position shown in Fig. 33, the lug 265 is lifted above the shoulder 294 and through the link 266, and the latch moves out of yoke engaging position. If at this time a can which does not leak is presented, the magnet is energized and the armature moved to the left, arranging the head of the magnet link beneath the lug 265 and holding the latch out of operative position.

If, however, the next succeeding can leaks, the magnet is deenergized at the moment so that upon movement of the arm 264 toward the left (viewing the figure), the lug 265 and latch 29| lower respectively into position to enga-ge shoulder` ,264 and yoke 266, holding the gate 56 in elevated position.

Failure of air supply Should there be a failure of air supply to the apparatus from any cause, all of the cans will be delivered to the lower chute and none directed in the ordinary course to the chute 54.

Referring to Fig. l, it will be noted lthat a pipe connection 3| is provided between the filter box 51 and a contact box 3|2, the detalls o! this contact box being disclosed in Fig. l1.

A fixed contact 3|3 is mounted within the box 55 in a holder 3|4. A flexible contact 3|5 is supportedk from this holder at 3|6 and is insulated therefrom at 3|1. A tube 3I6 is arranged beneath the contact box 3I2 and forms the connection between pipe 3| I and this box. A plunger 60 3|8 mounted in tube 3|6 engaged beneath the contacts normally presses contacts 3|3 and 3|5 into engagement. Uponfailure of air supply, the contact 3|5 lowers by its own spring action and interruption of the energizing circuit for the magnetsis accomplished. Upon such interruption, as will be readily understood, the gate 56 is maintained in the elevated position shown in Fig. 2. y

energizes the magnet as follows: A wire 32| leads from the positive side of a source of power (the u negative being grounded at 322) to contact 3|3. A wire 323 from companion contact 3|5 leads to one side of a lamp 324. From the other side of this lamp. a wire 323 leads to the magnet core 323 which in turn is grounded at 321. Movable contact |33 in the detector is grounded at 323'. Fixed contact |35 is connected by wire 329 with wire 323. so that when contacts |35 and |33 are engaged (by the detection of a leaky can), the magnet is short-circuited, current then flowing through wire 32|, contacts 3|3 and 3|5, wire 323, lamp 324,' wire 329, contacts |33 and |33, and ground connections 323 and 322. Should the electric current' be cut off, no current ows through the system, and the same result is attained upon failure of air pressure by the opening of the circuit between contacts 3 I3 and 3|3. in either of which events the magnet is, of course. deenergized and no cans can be delivered as perfect unless they have been tested and found so.

Power mechanism All of the operating parts of the apparatus receive their power from a main power shaft 33| mounted in bearings 332 at the lefthand end of the apparatus (viewing Fig. 4). This shaft extends clear across the frame of the apparatus and is provided at one end with a bevel .pinion 333 (Fig. 8) in turn engaging abevel pinion 334 upon a shaft 333 mounted in a bearing bracket 333 extending up from the base vof the frame. Power is supplied to the shaft 334 through a pulley or other driving mechanism 331.

Two clutches 333 are mounted upon shaft 33| and each controls delivery of power to a tester wheel and its associated mechanisms. 'These clutches are alike in construction and a description of one of them will satisfy for both. Inthe present instance, the clutches are of the disk type, having driving disks 339 and 34| and driven disk 342. The driven disk is mounted in a clutch member 343, loose on shaft 33|, this disk being arranged between the two driving disks 339 and 34| in position to be clamped therebetween for driving engagement. This engagement accomplished by movement of a clutch collar 344 link connected at 345 to the disks.

Provisionis made to operate either clutch from pivoted at 343 to the bracket 349' which is bolted y on the base and passing down through its top. The yoke levers 343 are pivoted at 35| to rods 352 extending toward the sides of the apparatus from the yokes and in turn connected to beilcranks 332 pivoted at 333 in the base." The bellcranks are thus arranged on opposite sides of the apparatus and extend out from the base into pivotal engagement with rods 334 arranged alongside the apparatus and extending to the delivery and receiving end of the apparatus.

. Referring now to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be noted that the two rods 354 are vrespectively connected to vertical arms 333 mounted for pivotal movement as will now be described about the center of a shaft 333 (Fig. 5). The shaft 353 extends across the apparatus and isarranged within a sleeve 331, which sleeve has bearings at 333 in brackets 339 extending up from the base. At each end the shaft extends beyond the sleeve and control levers are provided at each side to A vided upon this shaft valongside and within the'gear move each clutch.v These levers are indicated respectively by reference characters 31|,l 312, 313 and 314. The levers are so connected with the arms 353 that the lefthand lever at each side (viewing an end of the apparatus) operatesy the 5 clutch-for the mechanism of the lefthand tester wheel, and the righthand lever at each side. the righthand testerwheel.

The operation of the arm 335 at the right of the apparatus (viewing Fig. 5) will first be con- 10 sidered. 'I'he lever 314 and thev arm 333 are formed integral with a collar 313, which is locked to shaft 333 by set screw 313. 'I'he lever 312 at the opposite side of the apparatus is formed integral with a collar 311, also locked to shaft 333 by a set screw 313. Manipulation of .either of the levers 312 or 314 will, therefore, operate the righthand clutch.

The arm 333 at the lefthand side to this figure. is formed integral with lever 31| having a boss 319 loose on shaft 353 and an integral arm and collar 33| embracing sleeve 331 and locked thereto by set screw 392. Lever 313 is formed integral with a collar 332 also embracing sleeve 331 and fastened thereto by set screw 333. It will be 25 manifest that the manipulation of either of the levers 31| or 313 will actuate the lefthand clutch.

Power is delivered to the tester wheel in the rst instance upon engagement of a clutch by gearing which will now be described. it being understood I that this gearing is duplicated for each tester wheel organization.

Reference being had to Fig. 8, it will be noted that a pinion 39| is formed integrally with a sleeve 393 which is keyed to the hub of clutch driven 35 member 343. 'I'he pinion 39| engages a gear 394 fixed upon a shaft 393- arranged in bearings provided in brackets 393 and 391 upon the base. The two shafts of the two tester wheel mechanisms are in registration with each other and o each extends substantially halfway across the apparatus. Each of theseshafts carries a pinion 393 in mesh with a large idler gear 399 loose upon a shaft 40| having bearing in brackets 391. The idler gears 399 mesh with and drive rim gears 5 432 mounted upon the tester wheels themselves (see Fig. 3).

The arms 234 are cam driven from cams 4|| ilxed to and rotatable with pinions 39|. Each cam is provided with a cam groove 4|2 (Figs. 6 50 and '1) within which rides a cam roller 4I3 mounted upon a lever 4|4 pivoted at 4|5 in bracket 333. The lever 4|4 is connected at 4|3 to link 233, already described,` as connected to oscillating arm 234 for actuating the gate between the chutes 34 and 55.

If desired, each shaft 393 may be provided with a hand wheel 4I1 for manually moving the parts of each tester wheel organization when the clutch is disengaged for adjustment, repair and inspecw tion. f

Automatic brake construction Brake mechanism is provided to cause immediate stopping of the parts upon disengagement of the clutches. This brake mechanism is so constructed and arranged that it may be disengaged while the clutches are thrown out to permit the manual operation of the machine already mentioned. The braking elements proper comprise brake shoes or halves pivotally supported in the 7 bracket 393 at each side of the apparatus at 42| above the shaft 393. A brake drum 422 is proarid is shown as arranged 394. Each brake u relation with the drum. A short shaft 428 has bearing in bracket 396 and extends between the lugs. y f

The shaft is provided with a' ilat narrow head 429 which extends between -the lugs loosely embracing the rod or bolt 425,` the' turning of the shaft, as will be readilyapparent, causing separation of the `lugs against the force'oi the spring 421 to release the brake after it has once been set. Fig. 35 discloses the parts in braking position, and Figs. 36 and 37 in release. l

An arm 43| is pinned to the outer end of each shaft 423 and is pivotally connected to a leverA 432 by pivot pin 430 in turn pivotally connected at 433 to a link 434, and this link is pivotally connected at 435 to 'a pvoted arm 43E-carried in 1 the frame at 431. /A rod or link 438 (Fig.v4) Yis loosely connected to pivot 435 and is in Fig. 35. When, however, the clutch operating rod is moved to the left (viewing Figure 4), it carries pivot 435 in the samedirection, swinging the link 436 about its pivot 431. This -link 436 is provided with a stopv or'lug 44| which engages .a companion stop or lug 442 on the lower end of link 434. After this engagement, links 434 and 436 move together and until pivot pin 433 comes in contact with .a bracket 434'. 'Ihe movement of these links to the bracketsswings the arm 43| up from the horizontal plane and moves the head 429 to brake releasing position.

The brake may also be moved to release position while the clutch rod 354.remains in clutch release position. This is accomplished 'by movement of lever 432 to swing the parts from the position shown in Fig. 35 to that shown in Fig. 36. This movement causes swinging of the link 434 'about the pivot 435 and a swinging also, of

course, of the lever 432. In this movement, the

link 434 and the lever 432 causes the pivotal connection 433 between them to pass the line, including the centers of the pivots 430 and 435, arranging the parts in pressure toggle relation, somewhat further compression of the spring 421 being necessary before the pivot point 433 can move back across the line just mentioned to released position.

Conclusion I claim:

description l. In a can tester of the 'typelembodyingva' frame and a plurality of tester'wheelslrnounted pivoted also to a oollar 433 on one of thev clutch operating The lever 432 and link 434 form a' be needed,

on said frame, v each tester wheel comprising means' conilning air under pressure in successive cans introduced into said tester, a detector for determining the leakage of pressure from said cans, a separating mechanism for separating leaking from non-leaking cans as determined by said detector, anelectric control for said 'separating mechanism, and means rendering said electric control inactive between introductions of successive cans under predetermined conditions of tightness or leakiness in said cans.

2. In a can tester, the combination of a conveyor, a can clamp carried by said conveyor and adapted to hold a can in testing position, means supplying air under pressure to a can held in said clamp, a gate for separating leaky from nonleaky cans, an electric control for said gate and automatically.v operable by pressure conditions` within the canv as a result `of the test, and'con` nection from said control to the gate to operate the gate, and means rendering said electric con'- trol inoperable upon diminution of pressure sup,-

plied to the can beneath a predetermined amount.v

3. In a can tester, the combination of means conilning air under pressure in successive cans introduced into said tester, a detector for determining theleakage'of pressurefrom said cans. a separating mechanism for separating leaking from non-leaking cans as determined by said detector, an electric control for saidseparat'ing mechanism. and means rendering said electric control inactive between introductions of successive cans under predetermined conditions of tightness or leakiness in said cans.

4. In a can tester, the combination of means confining air under pressure in successive cans introduced into said tester, a detector for deter- I mining the leakage of pressure from said cans, said detector comprising a diaphragm exposed'at one side t air under pressure and at the other side to air under pressure which communicates with the interior of a can, and an electric contact on said diaphragm, and a spring cooperating with said last mentioned air pressure to normally hold said electric contact out of circuit closing posi-l K tion, a separating mechanism for separating leaking from non-leakingreans as determined by said detector, an electric control for said separating mechanism, and a continuously moving means normally disconnected from said separator and automatically connectible thereto under predetermined conditions of tightness or leakiness in said cans, for actuating said separating mechanism.l p v Y 5. In a can tester, the combination of means for` subjecting a succession of cans introduced into said tester to a` testing medium. a detector for determining a change in'pressure from the normal pressure within a can of said testing medium. a separating mechanism leaking from non-leaking cans as determined by said detector, an electric control for said separating mechanism and means rendering said electric control inactive between presentation of sucfor separating 6. In a can tester, the combination of a plurality of conjointly movable can testing pockets adapted to conne air under Vpressure incans to` be tested in said pockets, an air distributorcomprlsing a ilxed member and a member movable thereagainst, a plurality of air ports in said ilxed .member adapted to register with corresponding 

